"The brain is not an organ we are authorized to use. We are supposed to use only our hands and legs."
At the beginning of the novel, the narrator outlines the thoughts of the elders of his community, who think that only rich people are allowed to use their brains while the poor are supposed to work and not question the status quo. If this line between the rich and poor is crossed, as in a waiter participating in a quiz show, they believe that it is only fair that he faces the consequences of being arrested.
"The food chain will have to be revised."
While he is being tortured, Ram reflects on the hierarchy of criminals. He thinks that street boys are at the bottom of the hierarchy, or “food chain”, as he calls it, and the police are on top. He emphasizes that it is of no use going against the police, as they are seen as being above the law. However, when he is rescued by a lawyer, he is surprised that she has so much power over the police, so this quote illustrates his changing view of the justice system.
"Well, Madam, we poor can also ask questions and demand answers. And I bet you, if the poor conducted a quiz, the rich wouldn’t be able to answer a single question."
After the lawyer questions Ram’s luck of having answered all questions in the quiz correctly, he points out that just because he is poor does not mean that he cannot know the answers to the questions. The notion that poor people are not supposed to know the answers to “rich people’s questions” deeply offends him.
"So, like a proper Mumbaikar, close your eyes, close your ears, close your mouth and you will be happy like me."
When Ram tells Mr. Ramakrishna about the abusive behavior of his neighbor, the building manager does not react to it, which reveals a central theme that is prevalent throughout the novel--put your head in the sand and do not try to change anything to avoid trouble.
"If Amitabh Bachchan can play the role of a Muslim coolie and if Salman Khan can act as a Hindu emperor, Salim Ilyasi can sing Thumaki Chalat Ram Chandra Baajat Painjaniya with as much gusto as a temple priest."
This quote highlights another central theme of the novel: The interchangeability of religion. After all, Ram himself was given names from three different religions just to be sure to appeal to the three major ones because nobody knew the religion of his parents. In this situation, his friend Salim is not bothered by the fact that as a Muslim he learns Hindu songs because he considers this an important stepping stone on his path to becoming a famous actor, and if actors can play characters of different religions, then he must be able to do the same.
